The idle musings of a former military man, former computer geek, medically retired pastor and now full-time writer. Contents guaranteed to offend the politically correct and anal-retentive from time to time. My approach to life is that it should be taken with a large helping of laughter, and sufficient firepower to keep it tamed!

6 comments:

While trapped at a conference hotel, I ended up watching a program on the Anything-But-Weather-Channel about a Canadian company that untangles wrecked big-rigs in the Rockies and other less than optimal places. The "drama" didn't interest me, but the physics of how you get a big-rig up a cliff, intact, without tipping the wench truck(s) was fascinating.

There's a reason we truckers call that stretch of road the "Snow Chi Minh Trail." I won't go near it in the winter.

From what I hear, the DOT was specifically told not to build that road where it is, because of the weather consequences, but since when does the government ever listen to reason? So this kind of thing happens every winter. If you must cross Wyoming in the winter, I'd recommend US 30, which was built when common sense was a factor in decision making.

B is absolutely correct speed plays a huge factor in these wrecks that happen frequently on that stretch of interstate. The highway department installed electronic variable speed limit signs between Rawlins and Cheyenne on the worst stretches because people don't know enough to slow down on slick roads. An acquaintance that works for the highway department says that the trucks ignore the reduced speed limits much of the time. Wraith, local lore says Lady Bird Johnson flew over the area and demanded that the route be changed from following US 30 to where it is now because it was a going to be a prettier drive.